Video: Ultimate Highlights of nation's No. 1 recruit
The best runs and tackles from Alabama commit Najee Harris of Antioch (Calif.).
The list of running backs bred from the San Francisco Bay Area is impressive, especially of late.
There's current Oklahoma sophomore Joe Mixon from
Freedom (Oakley, Calif.), who appears a lock to be first-round NFL Draft pick, and Super Bowl champion Marshawn Lynch hails from
Oakland Tech (Oakland).
There's the duo from
De La Salle (Concord), three-time Pro Bowl selection Maurice Jones-Drew, who led the NFL in rushing in 2011, and D.J. Williams, who switched from running back to linebacker in college and then the NFL, where he led the AFC in tackles in 2007 for the Denver Broncos.
Before this quartet there was Hall-of-Famer O.J. Simpson of
Galileo (San Francisco) and three-time Pro Bowler Dick Bass of
Vallejo.
But none of them or anyone else has ever finished with as many yards as
Antioch senior
Najee Harris, the nation's No. 1 recruit overall.
The powerful and fleet 6-foot-2, 226-pound Alabama commit finished his senior year with career totals of 821 carries for 7,813 yards (9.5 per carry) and 94 rushing touchdowns and 99 overall TDs.
At midseason, Harris passed former Cal and Lions standout Jahvid Best, of
Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond), as the Bay Area career lead in rushing yards.
He finished fourth in California history in career rushing yards, according to the Cal-Hi Sports Record book, well back of former NFL and Stanford back Toby Gerhart (9,662).
In his final game, a 42-18 loss to Monte Vista (Danville) Saturday in the North Coast Section Division I title game, Harris rushed 22 times for 180 yards and one score, leaving him one touchdown shy of 100. He had 25 catches for 434 yards and five touchdowns in his career.
"If he wanted to be a Division I receiver he could be," Antioch coach John Lucido said. "He's got great hands."
Lucido actually used Harris quite a bit on defense this season. He recorded 28 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
"He can play defense in college too if he wants," Lucido said. "Wherever he wants. Wherever he's needed."
More than the statistics or his recruiting rankings, Harris' personality and presence will be missed. His tough-mindedness. His infectious smile and spirit, and unrelenting work ethic. He was constantly in the weight room.
Never boastful, always team first, Harris was respectful, strong and ferocious in his approach. He finished his illustrious career part of prep football royalty: Dignified, righteous and full of grace.
All of it helped turn around the Antioch football culture.
His freshman season — he was brought up to varsity at midseason — the Panthers were 1-9. As a sophomore they were 7-5, then 11-1 and this season 8-5. They played in their first NCS title game since 1977.
Harris finished with 2,776 yards and 34 touchdowns his senior season.
"I'm proud of my team," he said after his final high school game. "I always told myself if I can win like a man, I can lose like a man. It sucks to lose, but it doesn't faze me. I'm just glad we came this far."
Harris is expected to graduate this month from Antioch and enroll in the college of his choosing in January.
Najee Harris finished with 99 career touchdowns, 94 of them rushing.
File photo Dennis Lee
He was Alabama's first 2017 commit back in spring of 2015, but many think he's going to flip to Michigan. Jim Harbaugh made a pre-visit to Antioch a month ago and is expected to be back on campus this week.
Harris has listed California schools Cal, USC and UCLA as other finalists.
Considering colleges generally start school back up in January, it's safe to say Harris must make up his mind before National Signing Day in February.
Though his recruiting is uncertain, one thing clearly isn't: He'll go down as one of the greatest high school running backs in California history.
